“I’m keeping this for you,” Jagger said. “The board has agreed to release you from the club on good terms. If you ever want to come back to us, you will be welcome, and your cut will be waiting for you.”
“Appreciated, brother.” He fought back a wave of emotion as his brothers surrounded him, clapping his back, and wishing him well. He shook hands with Sparky, Cade, Dax, and Gunner. Hugged Dawn, Arianne, Sandy, and Evie. He smiled at the sweet butts but, wary of Naiya’s watchful gaze, he kept a respectful distance. He gave a few tips to Shooter, Benson, and the junior patch members of the club and said good-bye to Dax’s five boys, Cade’s three kids, and Zane’s son, Ty. Zane insisted that he still owed Holt a debt before giving him a painful whack on the back, which Holt returned with twice the force.
Banks joined them with Skyler in tow. Holt almost didn’t recognize the girl he’d saved in Missoula, now that she’d gained a bit of weight and stripped the color from her hair. She’d turned down Jagger’s offer to join the club as a sweet butt. Instead she’d accepted a job working for Banks at Rider’s Bar.
“I never really got to say thank you.” She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for turning me down that night and for giving me hope. What you did changed my life.”
“Just happy things worked out for you.” His held out his hand to a scowling Banks who had been in a rare good humor until Skyler had given Holt that kiss. “And don’t worry about Banks. He’s all bark and no bite. But you can be damn sure he’ll look out for you.”
“Damn right.” Banks shook his hand. “Good luck going it on your own. If you rescue any more damsels in distress, just send them my way. I always need the help.”
After he’d finished his good-byes, Shaggy took him aside.
“You take care of Naiya or I’ll hunt you down and rip off your balls.”
Holt met Shaggy’s gaze, watching his eyes shift from hazel to green. “You gonna share with me why you think you got a right to do that?”
“No.”
“Can I guess?”
Shaggy shook his head. “Nope. Some wrongs can’t be made right. Some secrets are never meant to be shared.”
Holt glanced down at Shaggy’s left hand, noted the pale white skin on his finger where he used to wear a ring. Although he was tempted to force the issue, out of respect he let it go. Shaggy had to have a reason for keeping his own counsel, and maybe in time he’d change his mind.
Naiya joined them and they walked toward Holt’s bike. “Where’s Tank?”
“Dunno.” Holt looked back over his shoulder at the crowd. Tank had been at the party last night, matching Holt drink for drink, and joking around like old times. It hadn’t occurred to Holt that Tank wouldn’t show up this morning. He had expected him to be here. Wanted him to be here. Needed him. How could he leave without saying good-bye to the man who was part of his soul?
“So what are you gonna do with your twenty million dollars?” Shaggy asked as they crossed the gravel.
“Nothing.” Naiya looked over and shrugged. “I don’t want the responsibility that comes with it. I don’t want the risks. I don’t want to fall into the trap Viper fell into. I’m going to take out enough to live on, and then I’m going to enjoy being free before I settle down and live a normal life.”
“What about buying your old friend, Shag, a kick-ass bike as a going-away present to thank him for being so patient teaching you how to shoot?”
Naiya laughed. “How about I send you a picture of me riding my first kick-ass bike after Holt teaches me how to ride?”
“Not happening.” Holt put an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “And I’m not saying that ’cause I’m an overprotective bastard. I’m saying it ’cause I love you and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Naiya leaned up to kiss his cheek. “Because you’re overprotective. But I tolerate it because I love you, too.”
They reached Holt’s bike and Holt shot a desperate look at Shaggy.
“I don’t know where he is,” Shaggy said. “You want to wait?”
“We can’t. Naiya’s got an interview scheduled first thing tomorrow morning. We’re already late getting away.” Holt swallowed past the lump in his throat. “Tell him I said good-bye.”
“Holt.” Naiya put her arms around him. “Let’s wait. I can reschedule. Or we can ride at night. You can’t just leave.”
“If he wanted to be here, he’d be here.” Holt swung his leg over his bike. “Tank is never late. He doesn’t stand people up. He doesn’t sleep in. He’s not here for a reason. And I gotta respect that. Maybe it’s better this way.”
Naiya slid on the bike behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Holt took one last look at the clubhouse, remembering all the work he and Tank had done to help fix it up, and all the good times they’d had. Heartsick, he started the engine. With one last look over his shoulder for Tank, he punched the throttle and accelerated down the lane, leaving the Sinner’s Tribe behind.
THIRTY-ONE
TANK